Get to know biodynamic principles and practices

Biodynamics is a holistic approach to agriculture, which goes far beyond the ecological. The countryside in general is seen as a closed ecosystem, where resources are self-generated and nothing is wasted.

Biodynamics regulates viticulture and oenology, and for a wine to be sold as biodynamic, it requires a certification that is not easy to obtain, but is well worth the effort.

It is a practice that is now increasingly used in winemaking, with results that are getting better and better year after year. In this article we will talk more in depth about this particular way of making wine, which is already a way of life.

What is a biodynamic wine?

Biodynamic winemaking is more than a simple practice, it can be said to be a whole philosophy of life that combines science, work and sustainability. Its basic principle tells us that everything that is extracted from the earth must return to it, so we must get rid of industrial processes.

It is for this reason that all fertilisers used are of vegetable or mineral origin and are governed by the astronomical calendar for planting, healing and harvesting the grapes.

The preparations of biodynamic practices

In biodynamics, the use of synthetic products is forbidden and the use of 8 preparations to improve the soil, its care and diversity is established

This is done in a very similar way to homeopathic preparations, and in the vineyards these preparations are sprayed, which are made by the winegrower following meticulous instructions and where herbs and minerals are used mixed with water in low concentration and also with ingredients of animal origin.

In the cellars, the use of sulphur is limited to a minimum and indigenous yeasts are used. Winegrowers must balance the connections between the vine, the animals and plants around them, the celestial bodies and the earth in their daily work.

Biodynamics preaches that absolutely everything, the farmer, the universe, the crops and the soils are interconnected, which is why the sun, the moon, the stars and the planets affect the growth of crops.

Origins of biodynamic agriculture

In 1924 the philosopher and writer Rudolf Steiner gave 8 lectures that initiated the development of biodynamic agriculture. These lectures were given at the request of farmers in the area who were concerned about the great deterioration they had noticed in their crops and the degradation of the soil due to the use of chemical fertilisers.

Following these conferences, an agricultural research group was formed to determine the effects of biodynamic processes on the health of animals, plants and soils.

Biodynamic agriculture is currently practised in 50 countries around the world. These methods for gardens and farms are certified by Demeter International.

What is the biodynamic calendar?

The biodynamic calendar makes it possible to understand and take advantage of the effects of the moon on the crops and the soil. This was proposed by Rudolf Steiner himself, who believed in using the natural cycles to live and develop agriculture.

Maria Thun designed the biodynamic calendar, based on Steiner’s research and relating it to the lunar calendar. According to the biodynamic calendar the constellations have a direct influence on the 4 elements (air, fire, earth and water) and this influence is even stronger on certain parts of the plants.

The constellations can be divided into 4 groups:

• Rootconstellations: Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo. The plant gives privilege to the roots and in wine the tannic nuances and its mineral character are accentuated.
• Leaf constellations: Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio. In this case the plant benefits the leaves, enhancing the aromas, which can be interesting in herbaceous whites, but would not help the tasting of reds.
• Fruit constellations: Aries, Sagittarius and Leo. In this constellation, plants are polarised, especially in the elaboration of fruits. The wines reinforce their fruity nuances and those that are elaborated in a very careful way for the perfect adaptation to the terroir variety.
• Flower constellations: Libra, Gemini and Aquarius. In this case it is the flowers of the plants that take the main activity and accentuate the floral nuances of the wine, which are expressed with greater intensity.

What is the process of making biodynamic wine?

Biodynamic wine is a real wine like any other; in a tasting it would be quite difficult to distinguish which one is made under this method and which one is not.

The process of making biodynamic wine can be summarised as follows:

1. The soil is worked with special natural mixtures, such as, for example, burying the manure in a cow’s horn for the whole season until the solstice, in order to take full advantage of the micro-organisms that are generated.
2. Preparations based on ground quartz: which directly benefits photosynthesis and plants for homeopathic medicines, as well as helping to eradicate pests and cure diseases.
3. Pruning is done when the moon is waning: because in this phase the sage does not flow as quickly and the plant heals faster.
4. All the products used must be of natural origin: in bionomy nothing can be manufactured, so they must raise the animals for food (eggs, milk, meat) and obtain the manure for the preparations. They must also have plantations to feed these animals. As we said at the beginning, it is a way of life, a philosophy.
5. In the winery you have rules like in the vineyard: no pumps, no chemical additives of any kind.

Achieving biodynamic certification is a long process, full of hard work and a lot of dedication.

Differences between organic and biodynamic wines

Biodynamic winemaking and traditional winemaking do not differ much from each other; their main difference lies in the way the vineyards are cultivated. In biodynamic viticulture, the vines are treated in a respectful and balanced way, without any chemical pesticides

In this practice, the aim is to use an ecosystem of plants that have a medicinal contribution for the vineyards.

On the other hand, the structure of the cellars in biodynamics is curved, with no corners, as the curves represent the infinity of the space

Grass and straw are also necessary, as they absorb the sun’s energy during the day and then transmit it to the site at night.

Which is better, biodynamic wine or traditional wine?

All these factors that we have been talking about the elaboration of biodynamic wine make it better than traditional wine, as it has an incredible natural concentration, thanks to the extreme care that is offered to it.

However, as we have already mentioned, it is most likely that in a tasting you will not be able to distinguish one from the other.

is this method successful?

There are very good biodynamic wines all over the world, but there are also some bad ones, just like traditional wines. A clear example of success can be seen in Argentina where biodynamic wineries such as Chakra in Rio Negro, Nohemia and Colome in Salta, have simply spectacular wines, which tells us that yes, it is a successful philosophy.

Biodynamics itself is a way of looking at life and how the relationship between all creatures with the environment and the cosmos goes far beyond banal questions. It is a sustainable way of life, in harmony with the universe and the earth, without sacrificing the taste and quality of the wines.